Mexico President asks Spain, Pope to apologize for conquest

FILE – On this Friday, March 8, 2019 file picture, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador answers questions from journalists at his daily 7:00 press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City . Lopez Obrador said he sent a letter to Spain and the Vatican on March 1, asking them to apologize for the conquest of America five centuries ago. (AP Photo / Marco Ugarte, File)

MEXICO CITY – Mexico's president has asked Spain and the Vatican to apologize for the conquest of America.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says he sent a letter to King Felipe VI in Spain and Pope Francis about what he called an "invasion" and "many godly injuries that were committed."

Lopez Obrador says there were "killings, decommitments" and "the so-called conquest was carried out with the sword and the cross." He apologizes for "the indigenous people for the violations of what is now known to be human rights."

The Spanish government issued a statement later Monday and regrets that March 1 was published and rejected the content "with all firmness."

That said acts 500 years ago "cannot be judged in the light of contemporary considerations."